CENAP Infoline - no 109

Magazine Overview

This issue of CENAP-INFOLINE, dated Thursday, May 11, 2000, with issue number 108 (though the cover indicates NR.109 and the date June 6, 2000, for the overall publication), focuses on astronomy and space technology. The main headline, "Der Kalender hat eine turbulente Geschichte" (The Calendar Has a Turbulent History), highlights the historical development and ongoing importance of precise astronomical data for calendar calculations, provided by the Astronomical Calculation Institute in Heidelberg.

The Calendar's Turbulent History

The article details the long and complex history of the calendar. It begins with the Julian calendar, introduced over 1600 years before, and its reform by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. This reform introduced a more accurate leap year rule to better align the calendar's average year length with astronomical reality. A key objective was to ensure Easter always fell on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox. However, the change faced resistance from Protestant states, who viewed it as an assertion of papal authority. This led to prolonged efforts, spanning over a century, to establish a unified calendar within the German Empire. Finally, in 1699, the Protestant Imperial Estates, during the perpetual Imperial Diet in Regensburg, resolved to introduce the "improved" Protestant calendar, which, by coincidence, largely aligned with the Gregorian calendar. Professor Roland Wielen, Director of the Heidelberg Institute, notes that the introduction of this astronomically precise calendar was a significant event for astronomers, leading to the institutionalization of astronomical bodies like the Rechen-Institut (Calculation Institute).

SOFIA: The Flying Observatory

Another significant feature is the "SOFIA" project, described as the "flying observatory" that researches "black holes." NASA experts are converting a Boeing 747 in Waco, Texas, into the "Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy" (SOFIA). The aircraft will fly at an altitude of 10,000 meters, where its 2.70-meter infrared telescope, housed in the rear of the plane, will be able to observe infrared radiation from space. This infrared light is largely absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere, making it difficult to photograph from the ground. While space telescopes like Hubble exist, SOFIA's large infrared lens is highlighted as unique. The article mentions that the 350 million Mark (approximately $175 million USD) aircraft is expected to begin operations in 2002, undertaking around 160 flights per year with up to 22 people on board.

Time Travel and Black Holes

A speculative article titled "Sind Zeitreisen doch möglich?" (Are Time Travels Actually Possible?) explores the theoretical possibility of time travel. It introduces the concept of "acceleration tunnels" discovered by Russian astrophysicist Professor Sergei Krasnikow. These tunnels, described as similar to "black holes" but with an "exit" or "white hole," could theoretically allow spacecraft to travel vast distances, such as to the Andromeda galaxy (two million light-years away), in fractions of a second. The theory suggests that objects approaching these tunnels are instantly transported to their other end. Astrophysicists like Ian Moss from Newcastle University express enthusiasm for this theory, deeming it worthy of serious consideration.

International Space Station (ISS) Updates

Several articles report on the progress of the International Space Station (ISS). The US space shuttle Atlantis successfully launched on its fourth attempt on May 20, 2000, carrying seven astronauts to continue the station's construction. Following a precise rendezvous, Atlantis docked with the ISS on May 22, 2000, enabling the crew to begin urgent repair work. Key tasks included replacing four batteries that were failing to generate sufficient power. The crew also planned to gradually increase the ISS's orbit by 30 kilometers using the shuttle's thrusters, as the station had been losing altitude. The return of Atlantis to Earth was scheduled for May 29. The construction timeline has been affected by delays in the delivery of the Russian Zvezda service module, with hopes that it will be integrated with the US modules Sarja and Unity in July. The article notes that the first long-term residents are expected in November, contingent on the Zvezda module's arrival.

Other Space and Aviation News

Other news items include:

• German Furniture for Astronauts: A research group at the Technical University of Munich has developed special furniture for the ISS, including a system to fix astronauts' legs between worktable plates to maintain an upright sitting position in zero gravity. They also designed a new sponge-based shower system to replace wet wipes.
• Moon Burial: The US company "Celestial" plans to offer burials on the Moon starting in 2002, allowing 200 mini-urns of cremated remains to be interred on the lunar surface for 25,000 Marks (approximately $12,500 USD) per person.
• Eurofighter Icing Tests: The Eurofighter underwent icing tests in Manching, Germany, where it was sprayed with water at 3000 meters altitude to assess ice formation on critical components like canards, air intakes, and wing leading edges. The aircraft must be able to fly for five minutes in icing conditions at -15 degrees Celsius.
• X-38 Glide Flight: The X-38, a prototype for a crew rescue vehicle for the ISS, achieved its longest glide flight, covering 44 seconds after being released from a B-52 bomber at 39,000 ft. The vehicle landed safely despite a minor issue with a landing skid.
• Mars Global Surveyor Images: NASA has released over 20,000 images of Mars captured by the Mars Global Surveyor probe, offering detailed views of the planet from its orbit.
• Stealth Fighter Tests: The article briefly mentions stealth tests conducted by Lockheed Martin and Boeing for their Joint Strike Fighter designs, involving radar cross-section measurements of detailed models.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the advancements and challenges in space exploration, the historical and scientific aspects of astronomy, and speculative theories about the future of space travel. The magazine appears to cover a broad range of topics within the science and technology sphere, from historical scientific endeavors (calendar development) to cutting-edge projects (ISS, SOFIA) and theoretical physics (time travel). The editorial stance seems to be one of reporting on current events and scientific developments, while also exploring more speculative or futuristic concepts. The inclusion of UFO-related information in the CENAP-INFOLINE disclaimer suggests a potential interest in unexplained phenomena, though the main articles focus on established scientific and technological news.